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Jonny Evans says Jose Mourinho's Europa League decision is 'brave'

Former Manchester United defender Jonny Evans thinks Jose Mourinho has made a “brave” move by going all-out for the Europa League.

Former Manchester United defender Jonny Evans thinks Jose Mourinho has made a “brave” move by going all-out for the Europa League.

Jonny Evans thinks Jose Mourinho has made a "brave" decision by going all-out for the Europa League rather than finishing in the top four.

Mourinho has rotated players in Premier League matches in recent weeks as he has plotted his way through the Europa League.

He said after the defeat to Tottenham on Sunday that "the Premier League for us is just matches we don't want to play".

West Brom defender Evans, who came up the United academy and made nearly 200 first-team appearances for the club, told Sky Sports: "It is very brave for Mourinho to come out and admit that, with the situation they have got.

"He has taken a big stance on it and it's all going to boil down to one game. I think Mourinho always fancies himself in a one-game shoot-out.

"Financially for the club it's a big thing and it's pride as well. It would be good to see them back in the Champions League and competing well."

West Brom face Manchester City on Tuesday, live on Sky Sports, as they look to end their season on a positive note.

The Baggies are winless in their last seven matches and could slip out of the top half of the table if their form does not improve in their final two games.

"The last month or so we have been disappointed and we are hurting from that," said Evans.

Highlights: West Brom 0-1 Chelsea

Highlights: West Brom 0-1 Chelsea

"Just after Christmas we were scoring lots of goals and taking our chances. There's a fine line, against Chelsea [on Friday] we had one or two chances but sometimes you need to create more to get a result. Players aren't going to score every time they get an opportunity."

Evans, though, denied suggestions that West Brom's level has dropped after securing their Premier League status.

"Our manager is all about hard work and he would be the first to point that out," he said. "After games he comes in on Monday and Tuesday and I'm sure he checks the running stats to make sure we are putting the effort in.

"I think he has been pleased with us and we've never had feedback from him where he has felt we have slacked off. He has seen our effort in training and our application on the pitch so that's not been an issue for us."